How to make a Deadmau5 Faxing Berlin-style synth sound

A step-by-step programming guide

Getting started

Step 1: To get the kind of progressive house sounds used in Faxing Berlin and other Deadmau5 tracks, you’ll need a virtual analogue synth. We’re using ZebraCM, which you’ll find on the Computer Music magazine cover CVD every month, but these techniques can be applied to other instruments, too. We’re going to start with the Initial patch – while it might not sound like much at the moment, with a few tweaks we can easily get that authentic prog vibe.

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Setting up the oscillators

Step 2: The first thing to do is fatten up the sound by detuning the oscillators and increasing the number of voices used. Click the button that says Dual in the first oscillator panel and select Quad instead. Repeat this process for the second oscillator.

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Detuning and filtering

Step 3: Set the Detune knob of Oscillator 1 to -20 and Oscillator 2 to +20. This already gives us a richer tone, but it sounds more like Van Halen’s Jump than anything else. We need some filter action to give the sound some shape, so start by turning the Env2 knob in the Filter panel down to 92.

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Adding movement

Step 4: Change the filter model to LP Vintage for a slightly smoother sound. Turn up the Init and Attack knobs in the Envelope section as we have here, and adjust the Decay to 45. These subtle changes give the sound more movement and definition.

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Adding FX

Step 5: The patch is getting there but it’s a bit dry, so let’s use some of ZebraCM’s built-in effects to make it sound slicker. Start by turning on the ModFX by double-clicking the ModFX1 button in the FX panel at the bottom left-hand corner.

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Adding delay

Step 6: To add some delay, double-click Delay1 under the ModFX1 button and copy the levels we’ve used. Be careful: if the Feedback or X-back settings are too high you’ll be in for some overly loud and unpleasant feedback delay!

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Adding reverb

Step 7: Turn on the Rev1 effect and copy the settings shown above. The delay and reverb levels we’ve gone for are by no means subtle and won’t suit some playing styles. If you find them a bit overpowering, just turn down the relevant Wet or Mix knob.

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Tuning

Step 8: Turn the Tune setting of the second oscillator up to 7 semitones. Adding this perfect fifth interval gives the patch a warmer, fuller sound, but if you find that it’s not to your taste, try tuning the second oscillator up a full octave instead (12 semitones). This produces a more up-front, trance-like tone.

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Opening up the filter

Step 9: The Faxing Berlin sound evolves throughout the song: it starts very dark and gradually the filter opens up. If you want to create the same effect, turn the Key Fol knob in the Filter section down to zero, set the Cutoff to about 32, and use the Env2 parameter to control the filter.